*Foreign Office Condemns Move as “Politically Motivated and EconomicallyUnjust”*
India has strongly condemned the recent decision by former US PresidentDonald Trump to impose a 50% tariff on Indian oil imports linked to Russia.The announcement came via an Executive Order signed by Trump, raisingexisting tariffs by an additional 25%, making it the highest tariff rate inthe world on any single bilateral oil trade.
The Indian Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) issued a scathing statement,calling the move “unilateral, coercive, and counterproductive to globaltrade norms.” The Foreign Office emphasized that the tariff hike not onlyviolates established international trade frameworks but also sends adangerous signal of politicizing energy cooperation.
“This is a politically motivated act aimed at pressuring sovereign nationsinto aligning with the former President’s geopolitical agenda,” said aspokesperson from the MEA. “India’s energy needs and its diplomaticrelations are shaped by strategic autonomy. Attempts to punish us fordiversifying our energy portfolio will not succeed.”
The spokesperson further noted that India’s oil trade with Russia remainswithin the boundaries of international law and does not violate any UNsanctions. “India is committed to ensuring affordable energy access for its1.4 billion people. We will not accept external diktats on who we can andcannot trade with.”
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Several Indian economic experts and political commentators have echoed thegovernment’s concerns, warning that the 50% tariff could not only hurtIndian energy companies but also strain Indo-US ties further, especially inan already turbulent global energy market.
In diplomatic circles, the move is being viewed as a test of India’sresilience in maintaining its foreign policy independence amid escalatingglobal power rivalries.
New Delhi is expected to raise the issue in multilateral forums, includingthe World Trade Organization (WTO), and explore possible retaliatorymeasures if the tariffs remain in place.